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Media and Public
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The Media and Public Relations (PR) Department is responsible for building and maintaining a positive public image of Family and Home Network (formerly Mothers At Home). It also works to dispel stereotypes and correct misconceptions about today's at-home mothers and fathers and provide a positive public portrayal of at-home parents in the cultural arena. In our effort to provide a positive public portrayal of today's at-home parents, we disseminate proactive and reactive education and information. It is the strict policy of FAHN not to participate in any media or other interviews that tend to pit at-home mothers and employed mothers against each other. Rather, FAHN works to help public policy, media and other organizations to transcend narrowly held views about both at-home and employed mothers. FAHN continues to respect the unique and varied choices made by today's mothers and their families. |
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CURRENT ACTIVITIES
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PRESS RELEASESChild Care
It is time for some changes in the discussion about child care. For thirty years, social and economic changes have rocked U.S. families. Along with a growing advocacy effort to expand government supported child care and early education, there has been substantial growth in research about the needs of children and the effects of daycare, much of it hotly debated. The majority of parents, drawing conclusions based on their own experiences and observations of their children’s needs, prefer parental care and/or part-time paid care over full-time child care. Caring for children is not a women's issue, or a feminist issue or an employment issue - it's an issue critically important to all people - it is our very future. It is time to focus on children's needs for generous amounts of nurturing, and time to recognize that parents are children's primary nurturers from infancy through the teen years. With nearly seven million at-home mothers and at-home motherhood the
largest occupational category in the nation, at-home mothers are wondering
if they are absent from the nation's consciousness on the first Child
Care Professional's Day. While this event's goal is to help Americans
understand and appreciate the role of child care providers in children's
development, FAHN advocates that the critical role of parents should
not be overlooked. Statistics show that most children are cared
for by a parent, yet families receive the message that more daycare
is the sole solution to the work/family balance, and some child care
advocates contend that well-trained child care workers are more competent
than parents in caring for their children. In light of this, FAHN
urges Americans to recognize and encourage those parents who have taken
on their most important role --that of parenting their children. The White House Conference on Child Care held on October 23, 1997,
addressed the strengths and weaknesses of the present child care system
in America. While our national child care advocacy movement has
worked to improve quality and availability for needy families, its ultimate
goal is to make substitute child care the norm for America's young children
and infants. "Millions of parents, those at-home and those working
part-time, are concerned that this conference and any resulting policy
initiatives will ignore their preference to care for their own children.
Further, resulting legislation has the potential to make it even more
difficult for parents to care for their own children as well as find
flexible and creative solutions to the work/family balance," states
Heidi Brennan, former Public Policy Director. FAHN urges the President,
Congress and legislatures to read the polls: expanding funding for full-time
day care without similar breaks for at-home parents endangers the choice
of parental care, and is not what the majority of American parents want
or need; take alternatives to full-time child care seriously;
continue to enact economic and tax reforms in an effort to reduce the
pervasive financial burden on families currently rearing dependent children;
communicate frankly with the American public about the complexities
and limitations of current child care research as it relates to both
the developmental and emotional needs of our nation's children; and
realize that solutions for our nation's highest-risk and neediest families
are not necessarily the same solutions required by the majority of American
families. Affordability
Parents from all income levels nationwide are reaching into their hearts and tightening up their wallets to make generous amounts of time with their children a reality rather than an ideal. One-paycheck families now constitute the fastest growing household unit in America. According to FAHN, staying home is becoming increasingly more affordable on less income for a variety of reasons, including: Mothers are pursuing non-traditional opportunities for supplemental income by using job-sharing, flex-time and part-time work, "tag team" parenting, telecommuting and home-based businesses. Government statistics report that part-time work, rather than full-time work, accounts for slightly more than half of all employed mothers in married couple families with children under age 18. "The issue of affordability can be a difficult and sensitive one," says Heidi Brennan, former Public Policy Director. "Many mothers tell us that their strong attachment to their children brings about a redefinition of economic expectations, with the discovery that some of what they thought were needs were more accurately defined as wants. While there is no magic threshold at which all families 'can afford' to have mom stay home, many families live by the adage 'When there is a will, there is a way.' The reality is that despite housing, tax and other financial burdens of today's families, millions of parents still find ways to be the primary daily caregivers for their children." Mother-to-Mother Support
Many family counselors believe the best gift you can give your children this Valentine's Day is a strong marriage. FAHN urges parents everywhere to take time to strengthen their marriages - finding a few minutes a day to give affection, share concerns and offer emotional support goes a long way in maintaining a strong and loving marriage. Mothers from across the country have offered the following ideas for strengthening a marriage: Realizing that your marriage comes first and teaching your children what a happy marriage is by your daily example; scheduling a few minutes of "Mom and Dad" time each day; having a regular date night; turning off the TV; making sure to have a daily "check-in" with your spouse; enjoying leisure and/or sports activities together; getting away together overnight or for a weekend; and sharing your short- and long-term goals and dreams with each other.
FAHN offers the following strategies from mothers across the country for easing the transition from work to home: Allow time for the transition to take place, and as your priorities and lifestyle are rearranged, recognize the opportunity for change and new beginnings; find time for yourself and your marriage; seek the support of family and friends by joining a mother's support group or playgroup and having a friend or mentor with whom to share concerns; set realistic daily, weekly, or monthly goals for yourself and remain flexible; evaluate your definition of success; refute negative stereotypes and the Superwoman myth; advocate for your role as a mother and for your child; and celebrate your days and their small and large triumphs. While it won't matter in five years whether you vacuumed every week, it will matter that you spent time with your child/ren, discovering the world anew with each of them. Being there to immerse yourself in the intricate and delicate work of motherhood may well be the most important and rewarding job that you will ever have. FAHN urges mothers to continue their celebration of motherhood throughout the year, and not just on Mothers' Day. The following concepts are shared by thousands of real mothers from all walks of life: Motherhood is the hardest job you'll ever love. It is important to find a balance in your life because motherhood demands so much. To succeed, you must master and use a myriad of skills, often simultaneously. All mothers need networks. If you can't find a support group, start one. Mothers are the real experts - despite the booming market of books, videos, and other educational media for parents, recognize the validity of your instincts and trust your own judgment. Real mothers don't define themselves through housework. Your priority during the active years of motherhood are nurturing and enjoying your children, while finding ways to develop yourself. Communities need mothers. Having a child can change an idealist into an activist. Use the intensity of your concerns to create needed changes. Talk to retailers, get involved with your library, know your city or county council and attend hearings. Use your presence, your voice, your writing to be an advocate for your child's future. FAHN notes a new national trend -- today's at-home mother no longer feels the need to apologize for shifting gears and putting career goals on hold to raise her children. "Today's mothers are the best educated and most accomplished of any generation of American women," says Heidi Brennan, former Public Policy Director. "Having spent over two decades struggling with the issue of balancing family and work, these mothers are confidently forging new career/life paths that allow them to spend more time rearing their children. Contrary to public misconceptions, the new at-home mother has discovered that nurturing her children is a worthy challenge and a rewarding opportunity." Many women today and in the future will cycle in and out of the work force and explore creative ways to work part-time as they embark on their careers and raise their children. While the pendulum of public opinion is swinging more in the direction of home and family as more mothers are making the choice to spend more time at home, FAHN believes we still live in a society that makes it difficult -- financially and psychologically -- for many women to choose home. Although many recent opinion polls indicate that mothers and fathers across the country want more time with their children, the trend toward shorter work hours and more family time has not been fully recognized or supported in the public policy arena. Miscellaneous Releases
In celebration of Mother's Day, Family and Home Network shares some favorite moments from moms everywhere, and urges mothers to take a few moments to write down their own favorite memories. "Take Your Daughter to Work Day" events should not overlook the fundamental role of women who choose to forgo paid employment to spend time raising their children. While FAHN endorses the concept of the event sponsored by The Ms. Foundation for Women in providing children with the opportunity to see first hand the career opportunities available to them, they suggest that the messages conveyed by events of the day be more balanced. In a young girl's consideration of lifestyle choices and priorities later in life, she should not feel that motherhood and homemaking are unworthy vocations. On a day designed to provide insight to our children, Family and Home Network suggests that we include discussions of the following issues: Why is success too often defined solely in terms of wages earned outside the home? Why is the myth that there is nothing of redeeming value in the crucial work of today's mothers and homemakers perpetuated? Why isn't there a realistic dialogue with children about the challenges of mothering and balancing career and family? We validate the importance of nurturing when we share with our children the changes that we as parents make in our work lives to spend more time with them. Perhaps it is that time spent that most ensures strong self-esteem in our girls and our boys. Family and Home Network Urges Support of Families this KidsDayIn honor of National KidsDay, August 4, 2002, the national non-profit organization, Family and Home Network shares the following vision statement... FAHN (MAH) RESPONDS TO MEDIA: FIGHTING STEREOTYPES
1. Misleading APA Press Release Results in Media Brouhaha
RESPONDING TO MEDIA COVERAGE ON MOMS
MEDIA WATCH (Formerly Media on Mothers)
How Medical Professionals Can Help At-Home Mothers
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